Constructing your dream home is likely the biggest investment you will make in your life. It is an exciting, stressful time and involves hundreds of decisions in creating a home that can sustain your family for generations. However, the journey from plans to completion is lined with potholes that could impact your budget, extend your time frame, and affect the quality of the home. First-time builders and experienced developers alike will learn that these common mistakes (which are sometimes really just user errors) can cost you a headache to experience during a project that is already taxing your time and resources. Knowing what mistakes to avoid will keep your building project on track—from the foundation to the final walkthrough.

1. Skipping The Soil Test

One of the most commonly overlooked but essential mishaps takes place even before the first shovels hit the ground. Many homeowners rush to start the construction and decide to save time and money by bypassing soil testing. Oftentimes this is not a beneficial idea. The type of soil you have directly affects the stability of your foundation, and different soils require different ways of approaching it.

For example, soil with a predominance of clay will expand when wet and subsequently contract when dry, and this movement can be the cause of cracks in the foundation. Data revealing site-specific characteristics of soil is paramount when beginning construction. Sandy soil, while it may appear stable, may not have adequate bearing capacity, and rocky areas may be difficult to excavate.

An investment of a few thousand dollars for a thorough geotechnical survey is costly if it prevents future foundation issues and repairs that could total in the tens of thousands, if not more.

2. Inadequate Planning And Design Reviews

Rushing through the design phase is like trying to build a house of cards in a windstorm. Some owners are so dazzled by the excitement of the project that they hastily authorize plans without fully contemplating how they will indeed live in the space. Will the open-concept kitchen truly suit your lifestyle, or might you discover that cooking aromas permeate your entire living area?

Is the master bathroom sufficiently spacious, or will you experience discomfort every day when getting ready? Spend some time visualizing day-to-day routines in your new home and work through thoughts of the plans from the inside out; you will be better prepared to think about furniture placement, how you will move from room to room, and how the natural light will come into each space at different times of day. After all, making small decisions can help you avoid costly changes during construction, which can negatively impact your budget.

3. Choosing The Wrong Contractor

​​The choice of contractor can significantly impact the success of your project. Homeowners often make the mistake of selecting a contractor solely on price, disregarding important factors such as verifying experience or insurance, checking for the proper license, and more. A contractor who offers prices significantly lower than their competitors may be engaging in questionable practices, such as using subpar materials, hiring inexperienced laborers, or anticipating future add-ons (a common occurrence in this industry).

Always check credentials and references as much as possible, and visit the job site of a contractor’s previous or current job if you are comfortable asking the planner. You must know the contractor is fully insured with liability and worker compensation. A contractor is a partner in your project, not a hired worker.

4. Underestimating Your Budget

Construction projects almost never stay under budget, and many homeowners either allocate insufficient funds or have unrealistic financial expectations. Be sure to build in a 15-20% contingency from your original construction estimates. Many factors can disrupt your plans, including hidden structural issues, code compliance, fluctuating material prices from the start of construction to when they arrive in your kitchen, and unexpected weather delays such as humidity or rain.

Without some financial flexibility, you may find yourself making risky decisions halfway through construction, such as choosing a cheaper cabinet or deciding not to include a feature you truly desired. Really think about what contributions you have and be honest about your priorities from the start.

5. Ignoring Building Codes And Permits

Sometimes, homeowners or contractors may perceive the need for a permitting process as unnecessary bureaucracy and attempt to avoid it. This is a naive and irresponsible approach, as building codes exist for maintaining structural integrity, safety, and energy efficiency. Working without a permit can lead to unfortunate consequences, such as difficulty selling your home, lack of insurance coverage or underwriting, costly retrofitting for compliance, and the potential demolition of unpermitted work.

The permitting process allows for inspections as the work progresses so that any problems can be corrected early while they are less expensive to resolve, resulting in less risk. Look at the permitting process as a way to serve as protection for your investment in the home.

6. Poor Communication

When homeowners are engaging in a construction project, there are many different parties involved, including architects, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, suppliers, and inspectors. When communication problems emerge, errors accumulate. Project managers should regularly schedule site meetings and request the attendance of all key participants.

Additionally, in today’s world, whether by written email or electronic messaging, any deviation from the work agreed upon should be documented in writing, which should be how the specific individual involved is informed of the change. Miscommunication about expectations leads to most construction disputes, most of which are completely avoidable. Always ensure that you and the other party are in agreement.

7. Compromising On Materials

When finances are limited, material quality frequently suffers first. Although it may appear prudent to cut costs initially, it typically results in increased expenses over time. A cheap roofing product, for instance, will break down fast and need to be replaced with a costly new roof. Cheap plumbing fixtures often leak and require frequent repairs. Poor-quality insulation will cost you high energy bills over and over again.

While you can reasonably budget for every item in certain areas, it’s crucial to prioritize structural components, waterproofing/exterior sealing, mechanical systems, and other items that pose significant safety and durability concerns. Budget only those items that do not incorporate safety or durability.

8. Neglecting Energy Efficiency

Building energy efficiency into your house from day one is a relatively affordable proposition that will provide you decades of savings and comfort. Despite this fact, many residential construction-related projects still treat insulation, window quality, and HVAC efficiency as add-ons. Building science is now a modern, proven science that nearly unequivocally demonstrates that proper air sealing, insulation, energy-efficient windows, and right-sized HVAC all provide substantial decreases in utility, while comfort increases. Such investment is not luxury spending; it is smart spending with amenities that pay for themselves and increase your home’s resale value even more!

Conclusion:

Building a home is complicated, and there are myriad details to attend to that will dictate the overall success of your project. There are only a few of these mistakes listed here, but learning to avoid them will put you ahead of many homebuilders who learn their lessons the hard way, and by hard, I mean expensive. Detailed planning, deliberate budgeting, craftsmanship in selecting trustworthy partners, and unwavering attention to detail from start to finish are the foundations of residential construction success. Also remember that building a home is not a sprint but a marathon that requires patience, flexibility, and well-informed decision-making throughout.